Fire department honors retiree Francis, promotes Ward

From staff reports

Published: Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2014 at 9:36 p.m.

A new city policy has allowed a Hendersonville Fire Department employee the chance to retire early. Engineer Tripp Francis officially retired on July 1, after 29 years of service with the Hendersonville Fire Department.

Firefighter/EMT Jon Ward was promoted to fill the vacant engineer position on July 1.

Francis began his fire service career as a junior with the Etowah Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire Department in 1977 and also became a volunteer with the Hendersonville Fire Department in 1978. He became a full-time firefighter for HFD in 1985 and was promoted to the position of engineer in 1992.

In recent years, Francis helped the department by lending his expertise in communication equipment and maintenance.

“His experience and talent will be missed,” the department said in a news release Thursday.

Several personnel from within HFD applied for his position, and Ward was promoted to engineer on July 1. Ward brings a lifelong love of firefighting and training to his new position. He has an Associate of Applied Science in Forestry Management Technology and began his fire service career as a junior with the Green River Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department.

Over the years, Ward has held several positions, including his most recent role as second captain, with the Green River department. He worked for the Dana Fire & Rescue Department for four years and held the rank of lieutenant before coming to the Hendersonville Fire Department as a firefighter/EMT in January 2013. He also continues to work part-time for the N.C. Forestry Service as a firefighter.

“Ward credits his father, Eddie Ward, for his love of the fire service,” the release says. “As a child growing up in Green River, engineer Ward recalls his father talking about house fires, wrecks and incidents where the fire department helped those in need and he wanted to be a part of that and help the community. We congratulate Engineer Ward on his new position with the Hendersonville Fire Department.”

<p>A new city policy has allowed a Hendersonville Fire Department employee the chance to retire early. Engineer Tripp Francis officially retired on July 1, after 29 years of service with the Hendersonville Fire Department.</p><p>Firefighter/EMT Jon Ward was promoted to fill the vacant engineer position on July 1.</p><p>Francis began his fire service career as a junior with the Etowah Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire Department in 1977 and also became a volunteer with the Hendersonville Fire Department in 1978. He became a full-time firefighter for HFD in 1985 and was promoted to the position of engineer in 1992.</p><p>In recent years, Francis helped the department by lending his expertise in communication equipment and maintenance. </p><p>“His experience and talent will be missed,” the department said in a news release Thursday.</p><p>Several personnel from within HFD applied for his position, and Ward was promoted to engineer on July 1. Ward brings a lifelong love of firefighting and training to his new position. He has an Associate of Applied Science in Forestry Management Technology and began his fire service career as a junior with the Green River Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department.</p><p>Over the years, Ward has held several positions, including his most recent role as second captain, with the Green River department. He worked for the Dana Fire & Rescue Department for four years and held the rank of lieutenant before coming to the Hendersonville Fire Department as a firefighter/EMT in January 2013. He also continues to work part-time for the N.C. Forestry Service as a firefighter. </p><p>“Ward credits his father, Eddie Ward, for his love of the fire service,” the release says. “As a child growing up in Green River, engineer Ward recalls his father talking about house fires, wrecks and incidents where the fire department helped those in need and he wanted to be a part of that and help the community. We congratulate Engineer Ward on his new position with the Hendersonville Fire Department.”</p>